Beverage dispenser



Jan. 21, 1969 H. BROWN BEVERAGE DISPENSER I of 4 Sheet Filed July 24,1967 FIG.1

ATTORNEYS Jan. 21, 1969 H. BROWN BEVERAGE DISPENSER Sheet Filed July 24,1967 l 13.\'''/ OR. HAROLD BROWN ATTO R N E Y S e I 4 4 3 w I l fi.

I T w?! w w O m Jan. 21, 1969 BROWN 3,422,634

BEVERAGE DISPENSER Filed July 24, 1967 Sheet 3 of;

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INVEYIY'IR HAROLD BROWN ATTORN EYS Jan. 21, 1969 Y H. BROWN 3,422,634

BEVERAGE DI SPENSER Filed July 24, 1967 Sheet 4 of 4 ATTORNEYS UnitedStates Patent US. Cl. 62-390 2 Claims Int. Cl. B671] /62 ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A dispenser for dispensing cooled beverages which is designedfor mounting on a serving counter. It has cooling coils and a number ofvalves designed to selectively direct beverage flavourings and waterthrough the cooling coils to dispense a beverage. By selection of thevalves, cooled beverages and different flavours and strengths can bemixed and dispensed.

The dispenser has the refrigeration unit assembly mounted on a deck thathas a depending leg structure which is designed to support therefrigeration unit assembly in an operative position and also designedto support the refrigeration unit assembly when it is removed from thedispenser for service. The supply conduits to the product cooling coilsare formed in a U-shape that extends up the exterior of the cooling tankover the top edge of the cooling tank and then downwardly into thecooling tank to merge with the coil of the cooling tank so that they canbe easily serviced.

This invention relates to a device for dispensing beverages. Moreparticularly, it relates to improvements for such a device that makes iteasier to service.

Beverage dispensing devices having manually controlled spigot valves fordrawing and mixing a cooled beverage from a pressurized supply of sodawater and flavouring or water and flavouring are known. They areextensively used in restaurants, refreshment booths and the like. Theyfrequently require service and, with rising costs of labour, economicalservice is becoming difiicult to supply. This invention relates todesign improvements in these units that makes service easier andtherefore less costly. The improvements also add to the simplicity ofthe unit and tend to require less service.

It is an object of this invention to make a beverage dispenser that iseasy to service.

It is also an object of this invention to make a beverage dispenser thatis simple and therefore requires less service.

A beverage dispenser of the type to which this invention relates has abase, an insulated cooling liquid tank carried by the base, anelectrically operated refrigeration unit bodily mounted on the basehaving refrigerating coils in the cooling liquid tank, a plurality ofproduct cooling coils extending into the cooling liquid tank, aplurality of product supply conduits in said base, a plurality ofproduct dispensing valves rigidly mounted with respect to the base, eachhaving inlet means for connection with said product coils, connectingmeans connecting said product cooling coils with said supply conduitsand with said product dispensing valves to controllably dispense productsupplied through said supply conduits. A beverage dispenser according tothe invention has supply conduits that terminate exteriorly of thecooling liquid tank for connection to the lead in section of a productcoil, the lead in section of each product coil extending exteriorly ofthe cooling liquid tank. The invention will be clearly understood afterreading the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a beverage dispenser according to theinvention;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded view of the principal parts of the dispenser;

FIGURE 3 is a view along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view showing the refrigeration unit sitting onthe cooling water tank;

FIGURE 5 is a view of two concentrate product supply coils, the tubularbody portions of the coils being indicated only by lines; and

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 showing the product supply coilfor the soda water.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally refers to a beveragedispenser according to this invention. It has four spigot valves 12, 14,16 and 18 which are manually operable to dispense a cooled flavouredbeverage from pressurized supplies through supply lines 20, 22, 24, 26,28 and 30. The dispenser has an electrically operated refrigerationunit.

The dispenser has a metal base 34 upon which is mounted an insulatedcooling liquid tank 36 and from which extends cooling mounting posts 37,39, 41 and 43. Cooling liquid tank 36 is formed from a pair of met-a1tanks, one within the other, with insulation 38 in the space between. Itis adapted to hold refrigerated water and beverage is conducted throughcooling coils that extend through the tank, as will be referred to againlater.

The numeral 40 generally refers to an electrically operatedrefrigeration unit assembly which is bodily mounted on the base 34 todispose the refrigerating coils 42 thereof in the cooling liquid tank36, as illustrated in FIGURE 3, for the purpose of keeping the coolingwater cold. The refrigeration unit has a deck 44 with depending supportlegs 46 which are adapted to straddle the cooling liquid tank 36. Theworking parts of the unit, which generally comprise the refrigeratingcoil 42, the condenser radiator 48, a cooling fan 50, a motor compressorunit 52 and associated control boxes 54 and 56, are all suitably mountedon the deck and electrically wired according to standard practice. Atemperature sensing device 57 depends into the tank 36 to operate theunit automatically to control the water temperature. No novelty inrespect of the refrigerating working parts per se is claimed. They arewell known. However, the particular design of the deck 44 with itsdepending support legs which straddle the cooling water tank 38 to standon the opposed base supports 58 to dispose the refrigerating coil 42 inoperative position is of importance. It will be noted that the foot ofthe legs 46 depends a greater distance from the deck than the bottom ofthe refrigerating coil 42. Thus, when the refrigerating unit is removedfrom the base for service, the legs 46 function to support the unit in avertical position on a flat surface with the refrigerating coilsprotected and supported in a vertical position. Legs 46 are secured totheir support base 58 by means of bolts.

In use, water in the cooling water tank 36 is automatically cooled bythe refrigerating coil 42 of the refrigerating unit and product ispassed through product coils that extend around the refrigerating coil42 to cool the product prior to being dispensed from the spigot valves.In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, there are six productcoils which are arranged into an assembly 60 and clipped together byhair-pin type clips 62 and placed in the cooling water tank 36 extendingaround the refrigeration coil 42.

Five of the coils are similar to the coils 64 shown in FIGURE 5, whereintwo single turn coils have been illustrated, and have a lead in section66 and a delivery section 68. The lead in section 66 of each coilconnects by means of a manually releasable fitting with the terminal endof one of the supply conduits 20 as at 72. The delivery section 68 ofeach coil connects by means of a manually releasable fitting with theinput to a spigot valve as at 74.

The sixth coil 76 is similar in its connections with the exception thatit has more turns and, at its upper end, it terminates in a manifoldsection 78 whereby it can be connected by releasable fittings, similarto the fitting 72, to each of the valves 12, 14, 16 and 18. Thisparticular coil carries soda water and it has more turns because itconstitutes the greater :bulk of a dispensed beverage and requires morecooling capacity.

Product supply conduits 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28 and 30 each have fittingsfor manual connection to supply lines that in use extend to pressurizedsupplies of beverage components.

Product coil 76 connects with a pressurized supply of soda water andleads to all dispensing valves. One of the five product coils 64connects with a pressurized supply of water and with valve 12. The otherfour product coils 64 each connect with a flavoured beverage concentrateand with one only of the valves 12, 14, 16 and 18. By manuallymanipulating the spigot valves, one can draw a mixed beverage consistingof concentrate from a selected concentrate supply and soda water and/orwater. The valves and their manipulation and the general beveragecircuit are not novel and form no part of this invention. Valve 12,which will mix concentrate and water or concentrate and soda water, canbe a valve comn1ercially known as a TMLClW McCann Valve. Valves 14, 16and 18, which only mix concentrate and soda water, can be a TMC11 or aTMC-lO valve. These things are very common practice in the beveragedispensing art. The number of coil turns can vary depending on design.Their function is to give the product sufiicient passage time in thecold water to cool it. The water supply coil preferably has more thanone turn.

However, the particular design of the product coils 64 and 76 in respectof the manner in which they are connected into the circuit is novel andimportant because it permits very efiicient removal of the productcooling coils for service. These coils are preferably made from anon-toxic metal, such as stainless steel, and their lead in sectionsreleasably connect with the termination of supply conduits on theexterior of the cooling liquid tank 36. They extend over the upper edgeof and down into the cooling liquid tank. At their delivery sectionsthey releasably connect with the dispensing valves. It will 'be apparentthat by first removing the refrigerating unit, one can easily disconnectthe product coil assembly and remove it without draining the tank ormanipulating fittings on the tank.

The deck 44 of the refrigerating unit 40 also carries an agitatorassembly that includes a motor 80 having a shaft that extends into thecooling liquid tank and has an agitator 82 on its free end. Motor 80continuously operates to circulate the water in the cooling liquid tankin use. This is a known expedient. Cooling liquid tank has an overflowdrainage outlet 79.

The underside of deck 44 has a resilient gasket 45 that seals around thetop of the tank 36 and that yields at the places where the product coilscross the top of the tank, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, when therefrigeration assembly is mounted in place.

To assemble the dispenser the product cooling coils are arranged,clipped together and their ends are connected to the appropriate supplyconduits and spigot valves. The self-supporting refrigerating unit 40 isthen lowered into position on the supports 58 and it is bolted intoposition.

Electrical supply for the refrigerating unit including motor 80 isthrough plug supply 84 that plugs into electrical receptacle 86 that iscarried on a cowling secured to the base. Plug-in receptacle 86 connectsby conduit with a source of electrical power.

The working parts are covered by cowlings which are especially easy tomount and take off. The spigot valves and the electrical receptacle arebolted on a bottom front plate 90 that is 'screW held in position byscrews 92. B'ackplate 94 is similarly held in position.

All other side cowlings are vertically slid into position. They areformed with side edges or hook means that cooperate with posts 37, 39,41 and 43 whereby they can be simply placed into position and/ or liftedout of position.

The side cowlings 96, 98, and 102 are each formed with an inwardlyextending channel that embraces the posts 37, 39, 41 and 43 and they aredropped into position. Upper panels 104 and 106 have a channel shapedbracket that embraces the opposed edges of opposed posts as they areslid into position. The top panel 108 rests in place.

Upper front panel, upper back panel and top panel are open grills topermit escape of heat from the refrigerating unit.

It will be noted that a drainage trough 110 is mounted in the basebeneath the drain board 112 and that it has means for an external drainconnection. Numeral 113 is a tap for draining the cooling water tank.

The unit as described above is used to dispense drinks from supplysources external of the unit. The drink ingredients are cooled as theypass through the cooling liquid tank prior to being dispensed throughthe spigot valves. The valves, their operation to dispense a drink uponmanual manipulation, the general product flow circuit are all well knownand do not form part of this invention. This invention is concerned withmaking a unit of known general type that is easier to service and thisobjective has been achieved by a number of features in combination. Thecowlings are easily removable and replaceable. The product cooling coilsare simple in design and can be simply disconnected by two connectionsexterior of the cooling tank. The product cooling coils are continuousand pass over and not through the tank wall and are therefore not onlyeasier to service but should require less service. The refrigerationunit is bodily removable and can support itself in a vertical positionon a flat surface when removed for service without danger of damage tocoil or other parts.

Embodiments of the invention other than the one shown will be apparentto those skilled in the art.

What Iclaim as my invention is:

1. In a beverage dispenser having a base, an insulated cooling liquidtank carried by said base, an electrically operated refrigeration unitassembly bodily mounted on said base and having refrigerating coils insaid cooling liquid tank, a plurality of product cooling coils extendinginto said cooling liquid tank, a plurality of product supply conduits insaid base, a plurality of product dispensing valves rigidly mounted withrespect to said base, each having inlet means for connection with saidproduct coils, connecting means connecting said product cooling coilswith said supply conduits and with said product dispensing valves tocontrollably dispense product supplied through said supply conduits, theimprovement which comprises forming said product cooling coils with alead-in section and a delivery section, said supply conduits each havinga termination exterior of said cooling liquid tank for connection to thelead-in section of a product coil, the lead-in section of each productcoil extending exteriorly of said cooling liquid tank, and saidrefrigeration unit assembly overlying said base whereby it can be bodilyremoved therefrom, said lead-in sections of said product cooling coilsextending upwardly of the exterior of said cooling liquid tank over thetop edge thereof and then downwardly into said cooling liquid tank tomerge with the coil portion thereof, said refrigeration unit assemblycomprising a deck that supports the functioning pieces of saidrefrigeration unit and a depending leg structure, said leg structurestraddling opposed side walls of said cooling liquid tank, said basehaving supports adapted to support said legs and maintain saidrefrigeration unit assembly in operative position, said legs extendingin a downward direction from said deck, said refrigerating coils of saidrefrigeration unit extending downwardly from said deck, said legsextending downwardly as aforesaid a greater distance than saidrefrigeration coils.

2. In a beverage dispenser having a base, an insulated cooling liquidtank carried by said base, an electrically operated refrigeration unitassembly bodily mounted on said base and having refrigerating coils insaid cooling liquid tank, a plurality of product cooling coils,extending into said cooling liquid tank, a plurality of product supplyconduits in said base, a plurality of product dispensing valves rigidlymounted with respect to said base, each having inlet means forconnection with said product coils, connecting means connecting saidproduct cooling coils With said supply conduits and with said productdispensing valves to controllably dispense product supplied through saidsupply conduits, the improvement which comprises forming said productcooling coils with a lead-in section and a delivery section, said supplyconduits each having a termination exterior of said cooling liquid tankfor connection to the lead-in section of a product coil, the lead-insection of each product coil extending exteriorly of said cooling liquidtank, and said refrigeration unit assembly overlying said base wherebyit can be bodily removed therefrom, said lead-in sections of saidproduct cooling coils extending upwardly of the exterior of said coolingliquid tank over the top edge thereof and then downwardly into saidcooling liquid tank to merge with the coil portion thereof, saidrefrigeration unit assembly comprising a deck that supports thefunctioning pieces of said refrigeration unit and a depending legstructure, said leg structure straddling opposed side walls of saidcooling liquid tank, said base having supports adapted to support saidlegs and maintain said refrigeration unit assembly in operativeposition, said legs extending in a downward direction from said deck,said refrigerating coils of said refrigeration unit extending downwardlyfrom said deck, said legs extending downwardly as aforesaid a greaterdistance than said refrigeration coils, and in which said productcooling coils are made of stainless steel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS.

3,215,312 11/1965 Guzzi 62-390 X 3 ,263,442 8/ 1966 Tirnmersman 62394LLOYD L. KING, Primary Examiner.

U.S.Cl.X.R. 62-394

